Coin collecting and metering system for telephone systems



Patented Apr. 1, 1924,

1 UNITE ST TES CHARLES L. GOODRUM, NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB TO WESTERN ELECTRIC 00M PATENT. OFFICE.

PANY, INCORPORATED, 01 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

GOIN COLLECTING AND METERING SYSTEH FOR TEEPHONE SYSTEMS.

Application filed June 24, 1920. Serial No. 891,428.

an improvement in a system of this nature disclosed in co-pending application of Lattig and Goodrum, Serial No. 52,512, filed Se tember 24, 1915.

ore specifically the object of the invention is to provide means for preventing the false operation of a charging means, due to inadvertent operation of the switchhook or theimpulse sender, after a talking connection has been established between a callingand called subscriber.

In accordance with the object of this invention the arrangement of circuits and apparatus is such that a polarized relay, which is usually employed to control the actuation of the charging means, has included in series therewith a relay which cooperates with the polarized relay in such a manner as to close the circuit for the charging means only at times predetermined by the calling subscriber. More specifically, when the called party responds, mechanism is set in motion which will continue to operate for units 0 time predetermined by the ,calling subscriber. At predetermined times the relay,

in series with the polarized relay, is shunted, thereby closing the circuit for the charging means. Should the calling party flash, that is, move his receiver swltchhook up and down or operate his dial after a talking connection has been established, both relays will respond simultaneously, and consequently render the operating circuit for the charging means ineffective.

Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, taken in order, represent an automatic telephone system in which this invention is embodied. In Figure 1 the automatic vdevices for operating the calling subscribers charging means are shown. Figure 2 shows a selector and connector switch and a called subscribers station. Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the coin collecting device which is schematically shown in Figure 1 at the calling subscribers station.

As the structure and operation of the automatic switches employed in the building up of a connection has no bearing on the present invention, a detailed description thereof does not seem necessary. The operation of such switches is well known in the art and a description of the same may be found in British patent to Lattig and Good rum, No. 16,479-A of 1905.

Although the invention is shown and described as embodied in a full automatic telephone system, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is applicable to systems varying widely in character, such as manual and semi-automatic telephone systems.

Before describing the operation of the system, the operation of the coin collecting device used in connection with the circuits of the subscribers substation apparatus will be described.

As shown in Figure 3, apolarized ma net 400 controls an armature 401 on whic are mounted two fingers 402 and 403. A refund magnet 404 controls an armature 405 carrying the finger 406. A coin 407 inserted in the coin opening 408 is arrested b fingers 402 and 406 of magnets 400 an 404 respectively. If the refund magnet 404 is energized prior to the energization of magnet 400, the coin 407 is returned through a refund channel 409 to the subscriber. If, however, magnet 404 does not become energized prior to the energization of magnet 400 and projection 40.6 i maintained in its normal position, upon the attraction of armature 401 by the upper winding 420 of polarized magnet 400, the finger 402 is removed from the path of coin 407 and the coin falls through the deposit channel 410 until it is arrested by the contact spring 411 and the finger 403 which is now projecting within the channel 410. Upon the deenerg'ization of polarized magnet 400, the finger 403 is removed from the path of coin 407 and this coin is deposited in a coin box 412.

If subscriber desires to initiate a call, he will remove his receiver 101 from the switch hook 102, thereby causing switch hook 102 to engage contacts 103 and 104.- During the upward travel of switch hook 102, a projection 105 of the switch hook ongages contact 106 in such a manner that contacts 108, 109 will not be engaged thereby. Current is supplied through the winding of the usual line relay (not shown in the drawings) over conductor 110 of the subscribers line, windings of polarized magnet 400, contact 104, switch hook 102 and conductor 111 of the subscribers line. The direction of the "current flow is such that the armature 401 of polarized magnet 400 is attracted toward the winding 4210f said ma net and an extension 112 of armature 401 is moved into engagement with the contact 113. Due to the closure of this contact a trunk finder 114 is caused to hunt for an idle trunk in the well-known manner. The circuit for starting trunk finder 114, may be closed over line conductor 111, switch hook 102, contact 103, primary winding of induction coil 115, transmitter 116, contacts 112 and 113 and conductor 110 of the subscribers line.

The subscriber at station 100 may now proceed to send out directive impulses for controlling selector switches 117, 300 and connector switch 301 in their selecting operation for building up a connection to a. subscriber 302. An impulse sender is diagrammatically shown at 120. Upon the actuation of impulse sender 120 and during the off-normal position of the same, the normally closed contact 121 opens, thereby preventing the passage of impulses through the winding of polarized magnet 400 during the impulse sending operation. As well known to those skilled in the art, during the sending out of a set of directive impulses the upper limb of the connecting circuit (shown 1n heavy lines in the drawing) may be grounded once and the lower limb of the connecting circuit may be grounded as many times as impulses are sent. Due to the grounding of the upper or lower limb of the connecting circuit, current flows from grounded battery through the upper or lower limb of the connecting circuit to ground at the sub-station. No battery connections or relays and magnets for setting the switches are shown in the drawings as systems operating under this principle are generally known. During the setting of the selectors and the connector, polarized relays 191 and 122 included in the upper limb of the connecting circuit, are not energized as the current flowing through said limb is not of the proper polarity for energizing the same. Relay 198 is however, energized each time the upper limb of the connecting circuit is grounded, during the impulse sending operation.

For the sake of illustration let us assume that trunk finder 114 engaged with its wipers 123, 124 and 125, terminals 126, 127 and 128 respectively; that the wipers 130,

197, 139. and 132 of selector switch 117 are set on terminals 133, 196, 134 and 135 respectively; that the wipers 303, 304 and 305 of selector switch 300 are set on terminals 306, 307 and 308 respectively; and that the wipers 310, 311 and 312 of connector switch 301 are set on terminals 313, 314 and 315 respectively. The called subscribers station 302 is supplied with current from battery 316, through the winding of relay 317, resistance 318, lower limb of the connecting circuit through the subscribers station 302 the upper limb of the connecting circuit, and resistance 319 to ground. The calling sub scribers station is supplied with current from grounded battery 321, through the outer armature and back contacts of relay 317, resistances 322 and both limbs of the connecting circuit; When the called subscriber removes his receiver-from the switch hook, the circuit for relay 317 is completed and this relay by attracting its armatures reverses the direction of the current, normally flowing through the upper limb of the talking circuit of the calling line by connecting round through the inner armature and ront contact of relay 317, resistance 323, to the upper limb of the connecting circuit, and grounded battery 321, through the outer armature and front contact of relay 317, and resistance 324 to the lower' limb of-the connecting circuit. Due to this change produced in thei'direction of the current flowing in the upper limb of the connecting circuit, the left-hand winding 420 ofpolarized magnet 400, attracts armature 401 and contact 112 is caused toengage contact 136. The windings of polarized magnet 400 are of sufiiciently high resistance to prevent the energization of polarized relays 191 and 122. Relay 198 is however, energized. If the calling subscriber has inserted a coin in the coin chute when initiating the call, the coin now falls into the channel 410 and is held thereby spring 411 and the finger 403 of armature 401 of polarized magnet 400. Contact 137 is now closed and therefore the resistance of the circuit leading through polarized relays 191 and 122, is reduced, a path being provided from ground through resistance ,323. through the upper limb of the connectlid means ized relay 122, conductor 150 and interrupter 151 to grounded batte 152. Switches 142 and 146; may be of t a type of any well-known step-by-step' or power driven switch generally employed in, automatic telephone exchanges. Due to the closure of the last traced circuit, the stepping magnet 145 receives impulses under the control of interrupter 151 which causes the stepping of wipers 147, 153 and 154 of switch 146. When wiper 153 engages to terminal 155, the connecting circuit is shortcircuited and therefore polarized magnet 400 and rela 198 are deenergized since they are deprive of current. Polarized relays 191 and 122 remain energized due to the short circuit across the connecting circuit which may be traced from the lower limb of the connecting circuit through terminal 155 and wiper 153 of switch 146, terminal 196 of switch 117, wiper 197, to the upper limb of the connecting circuit. Upon the deenergization of polarized magnet 400, the inserted coin is deposited in the coin box 412. When the connecting circuit is short circuited and relay 198 and polarized magnet 400 deenergize, a circuit is completed for meter magnet 144, said circuit extendin from grounded battery, through the win ing 0 meter magnet 144, wiper 125, termmal 128, back contact and. armature of relay 198 and front contact and armature of polarized relay 191 to ground. The meter magnet is thereupon energized and causes, in the well-known manner upon its deenergization, the making of a record,

which record will indicate that at sub-- scribers station 100, one coin has been de' posited. Switch 146 continues its travel, current being supplied to stepping magnet 145 from grounded battery 152, throu interrupter 151 conductor 150, termina 156,

wiper 147, and through the winding of mag net 145 to ground. The wipers of switch 146 are step d from the second to the third row of terminals of this switch, in which position the above mentioned short circuit is removed from the calling side of the connecting circuit, thereby causing the deenergization of polarized relay 191 and meter magnet 144. Polarized magnet 400 and relay 198 again become energized and the former in energizing closes the contacts 112 and 136. As the contact between spring 411 1,; m y; is not-closed, the original c'oin having been deposited, polarized relays 191 and 122 remain deenergized and therefore no current is supplied through the terminal 157 and wiper 147 of switch 146 to operate the stepping magnet 145. The talkingcircuit of the calling subscriber 100 is opened at 411 and therefore, he is unable to converse with the called subscriber until he deposits another coin. He may, however, hear the called subscriber.

stepping magnet 145 is again completed through the interrupter 151 and terminal 157, and the wipers of the switch 146 are stepped to the fourth row of terminals. When wi er 147 is positioned on terminal 160, the circuit for the stepping magnet 145 is closed from ground through the winding of magnet 145, wi er 147, terminal 160, conductor 161, an interrupter 162 to grounded battery 152. Interrupter 162 is preferably of a slower speed than interrupter 151, and therefore switch 146 is caused to travel at a slower speed from the fourth row of terminals to, the sixth row of terminals, than it was moved from the first row to the fourth row. When wiper 147 reaches terminal 165, stepping magnet 145 of switch 146 is deprived of current. A circuit is, however, completed for ste ping magnet 166 of switch 142, said circuit extending from battery 152, interrupter 171, conductor 170, terminal 167, and wiper 154 of switch 146, terminal 135, and wiper 132 of switch 117, winding of stepping magnet 166 of switch 142, and armature and front contact of polarized relay 191 to ground. Under the control of interrupter 171, which is slower than interrupter 151 but faster than interrupter 162, switch 142 is stepped from terminal to terminal as long as relay 191 remains energized and switch 146 is maintained with its wipers on its sixth row of terminals. When wiper 172 of switch 142 reaches terminal 173, the calling side of the connecting circuit is again shunted and polarized magnet 400 and relay 198 become deenergized. The deenergization of polarized magnet 400 causes the collection of the second deposited coin and the calling circuit of the calling station is again opened. When relay 198 deenergizes, a circuit for the energization of meter magnet 144 is again completed over the circuit previously traced. A circuit is closed at the same time from ground through interrupter 174, terminal 175'and wiper 176 of switch 142, and winding of release magnet 177 to grounded battery 178. Under the control of magnet 177 the wipers of switch 142 are returned to their normal position. Interrupters 174, 171, 151, and'162 may be mounted upon the same shaft and interrupters 171 and 174 may be so positioned that when the cir cuit for release magnet 177 is closed, the

circuit for stepping magnet 166 will be opened. When wiper 172 is moved out of engagement with terminal 173, polarized relays 191 and 122 are again deenergized and relay 198 is energized. Polarized relay 191, in deenergizing, causes the deenergization of meter magnet 144, thereby making a record indicating that anothercoin has been de osited in the coin box. j

hould the calling subscriber 100 desire to continue the conversation, it will be necessary to insert another coin into the coin collector in order to cause the closure of the talking circuit. Polarized relays 191 and 122 are thereupon again energized, and switch 142 is caused to again perform the above described travel. a

It will be seen from the above that if the calling subscriber extends a call through a trunk terminating in terminals 123, 124 and 125 of switch 117, and the called subscriber answers, a conversation may be kept up for two coins while switch 146 travels from its first to its sixth terminal, and switch 142 c from its first to, its fourth terminal, the

speed of travel of switch 146 being controlled by fast interrupter 151 and slow interrupter 162. If the calling subscriber desires to continue the conversation after switch 142 has completed its travel, the time units for which he is entitled to converse for one coin are determined by complete travel of switch 142, this switch being controlled by interrupter 171 which is slower than interrupter 151. These interrupters may be adjusted in accordance with the charges made for the time units of a conversation through said trunk.

After the conversation is finished and the calling subscriber and called subscriber have hung up their receivers, connector 301, selectors 300 and 117 and the trunk finder 114 are restored in the well-known manner. Upon the energization of magnet 340 controlling the restoration of selector 300, a

circuit is closed from ground, through the left-hand armature and front contact of magnet 340, conductor 203, and winding of magnet 184 to grounded battery 185. Under the control of magnet 184, switch 146 is restored to its normal position. Upon the energization of magnet 186 controlling the release of selector switch 117, a circuit is closed from ground, through the armature and front contact of this magnet and the winding of release magnet 17 7 to grounded battery 178. If switch 142 is in an off-normal position, it is returned to'normal under the control of release magnet 177.

Should the calling subscriber hang up his receiver before the called subscriber answers, the already deposited coin would be returned to him. During the downward movement of switch 102, projection 105 causes the engagement of contacts 108 and 109 by contact 106. Battery is supplied thereupon through the connecting circuit'to the refund magnet 404 this magnet becomes energized and removes the finger 406 from the path of the deposited coin and causes the refunding of the same.

It will be noted that if the subscriber of substation should inadvertently or by demight actuate and thereby close the operating circuit to the meter 144 and thereby falsely register a charge, if relay 198 were not connected in series therewith. By the interposition of this relay and the arranging of the wiring; for controlling the operation of polarized relay 191 as shown, relay 198 must be deenergized and polarized relay energized to register. False registration is thus prevented. i

What is claimed is:

1. In a telephone system, subscribers lines, means for establishing a talking connection through which a calling and a called subscriber may converse during predetermined time units, a message register for recording each time unit, an actuating magnet therefor, means including a polarized relay for actuating said register, and means for preventing a false actuation of said register.

2. In a telephone system, subscribers lines, means including automatic switches in which a calling and a called subscriber may converse during predetermined time units, a message register for recording each time unit, an actuating magnet therefor, means including a polarized relay in series with the talking circuit between said subscribers for actuating said register, and a relay in series with said polarized relay for preventing a false operation of said register.

3. In a telephone system, subscribers lines, means for establishing a talking circuit through which a calling and a called subscriber may converse during predetermined time units, a' message register for recording each time unit, an operating circuit therefor, means including a polarized relay for closing said circuit, and a relay in series with the windings of said polarized relay for rendering said operating circuit ineffective except at predetermined times.

4. In a telephone system, a calling and a called subscribers line, means including an impulse sender and automatic switches for extendingthe calling line to terminals of the called line, a charging device for said calling line, an operating circuit therefor, a polarized relay in series with the calling line for closing saidcircuit, and a relay in series with the windings of said polarized relay for rendering said operating circuit ineffective if the impulse sender is inadvertently operated after the calling line has been extended to the called line.

5. In a telephone system, a calling and a called subscribers line, subscribers stations thereon, each having a switch hook,

means at the calling substation for extending the line of said calling station to the terminals of a called station, a message register for said calling line, an operating circuit therefor, a polarized relay in series with the calling line for closing said circuit to operate said message register, and a relay in series With the windings of said polarized relay for rendering said operating circuit ineffective due to inadvertent operation of said switch hook after the calling line has been extended to the terminals of the called line.

i 6. In a telephone system, subscribers lines, means for establishing a connecting.

circuit through which a calling and called subscriber may converse during predetermined time units, charging means individual to the calling subscribers line, a relay and a polarized relay, contacts therefor, an operating circuit for said charging means including contacts of said relays, and means for actuating said relays only at predetermined times to close said operatin circuit.

(.111 a v telephone system, su scribers lines, means for establishing a connectin circuit through which a calling and a called subscriber may converse during predetermined time units, charging means individual to the calling subscribers line, a relay and a polarized relay connected in series in said connecting circuit, contacts for said relays,

an o cratin circuit for said char i means including contacts of said relay when deenergized and contacts of said polarized relay when energized, and automatic means for deenergizing said relay and energizing contacts of said relay when said relay is deenergized and contacts of said polarized relay when said polarized relay is actuated, and means for automatically deenergizing said relay and actuating said polarized relay each time a coin is collected.

In witnelsls wheredof, IfhJereuntAo slgbscribe mnamet 's21st a o une 1920.

y oHAmlEs L. GooDRtM. 

